Fuel control valve



July 20, 1943.

. J. P. JOHNSON FUEL CONTROL VALVE Filed April 2'7, 1940 I N VEN TOR.

M55 fan/50) Patented July 20, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to fuel control valves especially adaptable for embodiment in airplanes of the type employing a plurality of fuel tanks predeterminately located in different portions of the plane so as to increase its cruising range and are so constructed as to selectively connect one or more of said fuel tanks with a fuel pump or carburetor in a well known manner although not necessarily so restricted as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

The aforesaid type of fuel control valve is well known but is inefficient due principally to the fact that too much torque is required to operate the valve and due to the constructin of the actuating means is unreliable in its indication on the dial which is mounted on the instrument panel in the cock-pit.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to produce a fuel control valve which requires a minimum of torque in its operation due principally to the reduction of frictional resistance in the operation of the relatively movable parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide communication between the fuel outlet opening and any one of a plurality of inlet openings in such a manner as to afford a fluid tight seal irrespective of relative movement between the cooperating parts.

Another object of the present invention resides in providing means for exerting a yieldable constant pressure for normally effecting a fluid tight seal between the fuel outlet opening and each of said fuel inlet openings and sealing means for preventing any appreciable flow of .fluid except through the communicating passageways.

Another object of the present invention resides in providing a manually operated valve member having means so arranged as to predeterminately establish communication between any of the fuel inlet openings and said outlet opening in an improved and positive manner.

Another object of the present invention resides in providing a fuel control valve embodied in a unitary housing of light weight, compact construction, efficient in operation and adapted to be connected at any desirable location on the plane or other suitable supporting structure.

With the objects above indicated, and other objects hereinafter explained in view, my invention consists in the construction and combination of elements hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the drawing,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a fluid control valve embodying the present invention and taken substantially along the line l-- l in Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the valve shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 in Figure 1 and showing further details of the structure.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 44 in Figure 1 and showing details of the improved ratchet means.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the ratchet means shown in Figure 4;

In the drawing, I have illustrated the present invention preferably embodied in a fuel control valve for use on aircraft but it should be understood that it may be otherwise adapted and therefore, in no manner thus restricted.

The fuel control valve comprises a housing l0 which may be made in the form of an aluminum casting for lightness and somewhat circular in transverse section as shown in Figure 2. The housing In is recessed at the outlet side as indicated by H to provide an annular flange l2 on which a cover I3 is removably mounted. The cover l3 has a laterally extending marginal flange H disposed in superimposed relation upon the flange I2 and a gasket I5 is disposed between the adjacent faces of the flanges to provide a fluid tight joint. Threaded bolts l6 extend through aligned openings in the flanges and gasket for securely maintaining the same in assembled relation and said bolts are suitably spaced apart as more clearly shown in Figure 3. Lockwashers II are preferably used to prevent accidental displacement of the bolts. The flange I4 is further provided with ears l8 spaced apart circumferentially and provided with openings I9 by means of which the unit may be attached to one type of support. The cover I3 is of frusto-conical shape extending outwardly and terminates in an axially disposed tubular extension 20 interiorly ,screwthreaded to provide a fuel outlet opening 2| to which a suitable fuel line (not shown), leading to a fuel pump or carburetor, may be connected.

At the upper portion of the housing Ill there is a plurality of laterally disposedtubular extensions 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 21 respectively which are suitably spaced apart circumferentially in the manner shown in Figures 2 and 3, the adjacent extensions 22 and 2'! being spaced considstructures and it is believed that a detailed description of one of such structures, such as is shown in Figures 1 and 3, will suffice.

The inlet opening 24 communicates with a walled chamber 20 formed in the upper adjacent portion of the housing 10. The bottom wall I! of the chamber is provided with a circular opening 3. of suitable diameter and is preferably flnished, the opening affording communication between the chamber 20 at theinlet side and the recess I I at the outlet side. A tubular bushing ll, of bronze or other suitable material, is siidably' disposed in the opening ll and has an outwardly extending marginal flange 32 formed integral at its outer end. The bushing 3| has sulllcient clearance with respect to the opening 30 to afford slight angular variation of the outer face for a purpose to be later described. The inner end of the bushing 3| terminates about midway of the opening 30' and has a convergingly tapered face 33 upon which a flexible packing ring I4 is disposed. A cup-shaped metal gland 35 is loosely disposed in the opening it in engagement with the ring 34 and has a central opening I. to permit the passage of fuel therethrough. A helically coiled spring 31 has its lower end in engagement with the bottom of the cup-shaped metal gland 35 and its upper end disposes in a recess 3! formed in the upper wall I! of the chamber 28. The spring 31 has a predetermined tension for exerting any desired force upon the gland 35 which in turn compresses the packing ring II to provide a seal against the passage of fuel between the bushing ii and opening 30 and additionally exert an outward pressure upon the bushing II. The ring 34 is of such structure as to function as an equalizer between the spring and bushing 3| irrespective of the angular portion of the latter. It will be noted that the fuel inlet opening 24, the chamber 28, the opening 36 in the gland I5, and the opening in the bushing II are at all times in communication in such a manner as not to interfere with the free flow of fuel therethrough except as later described.

A; before stated, it is usually desirable to have only one fuel inlet opening in communication with the fuel outlet opening at one time and suitable means is, therefore, provided for shutting off the supply of fuel from the fuel inlet openings not desiredbut in a manner permitting selective adjustment. The impro I construction comprises a circular disk ll, of stee or other suitable material, having an inner substantially flat face 4| the marginal portion of which is formed with a seal face 42 of annular shape and an outer conic-ally shaped face 43 spaced apart to provide sumcient inherent rigidity. The disk ll is disposed axially within the recess ll of the housing II and has its inner face 4| arrangedinsubstantially parallel, spaced relation with respect to the bottom wall of the recess a more clearly shown of the former whereby the seal faces will always be effective despite any slight angular disposition of the disk 40.

The disk ll, of course, is adapted for rotation about its axial center and in the present instance is provided with an opening I! extending transversely therethrough which is so located adjacent its marginalportion that it will register successively with each of the central openings formed in the bushings 3|. The opening 4."; is substantially of the same diameter as the opening in the bushings II and affords a means for establishing communication between any one of in Figure 1. The disk ll is of sufficient diameter the inlet openings and the fuel outlet opening 2|. It will be obvious therefore, that any desired inlet opening may be placed in communication with the outlet opening by merely rotating the disk until the opening 45 is in registry with the opening in the bushing ll of the selected inlet opening. It is also obvious, that when one desired inlet opening is in communication with the outlet opening the other inlet openings are sealed by reason of the engagement between the seal faces 44 of the bushings ii and the seal face 42 of the disk 40. Additionally, it may be desirable to completely shut off the flow of fuel from all of the inlet openings to the outlet opening in which event the greater spacing of the adjacent inlet openings 22 and 21 provides a space in which the opening 45 in the disk 40 is not in communication with any of the inlet openings, the latter being sealed'in the manner heretofore described.

The disk ll may be rotated in any suitable manner but preferably, by means of a shaft-l6, of

steel or other suitable metal, which is disposed axially in the housing I l and has its inner end reduced at H to snugly flt within an axial opening 48 provided in the disk 10. A key-way is formed on the reduced portion l1 and a cooperating key or tongue II is provided on the disk at its central opening It to prevent relative independent rotation. The extreme end of the shaft projects beyond the lower side of the disk ill and is exteriorly screwthreaded at II to receive a nut 52 which securely maintains the disk upon the shaft. The nut may be locked against removal by any suitable means such as a cotter 53. The

shaft 46 extends through a central opening 54 in the lower portion of the housing II and said opening communicates with a bore! of larger diameter extending inwardly from the chamber II. A bearing 5, of bronze or other suitable material, is rigidly inserted in the outer end of the'bore II and has an axial opening i! in which the shaft II is rotatably mounted. To insure against the leakage of fuel along the shaft 46 from the chamber, a resilient ring 58, of any suitable compressible material, is disposed on the bottom of the bore and held in place by the bearing I.

The outer portion of the housing Ill, opposite the cover it, through which the shaft 46 extends is provided with a central bore I. extending inwardly from the opposite side of the housing and has an inwardly tapering wall 6|. The bottom wall of the bore II is spaced from the bottom wall of the bore II and the bores are connected flange 84 and the portion 85 to provide a fluid tight joint and threaded bolts 81 project through aligned openings in the flange, gasket, and housing for securely maintaining the same in assembled relation. The cover plate 62 has a central opening 81 through whichthe shaft 48 extends and a bore 88 of larger diameter on the outside of the plate.

A ball bearing mounting is provided for the shaft 46 at the end opposite the disk 40 and comprises an outer race, 89 snugly fitted within the bore 88 and an inner race spaced from the outer race and securely mounted upon the adjacent portion of the shaft 48, having its lower face in engagement with the bottom of the bore 88 as more clearly shown in Figure 1. A plurality of balls are disposed between the races 89 and 10 in a well known manner. The outer end of the shaft 46 has an enlarged portion H forming a shoulder or abutment I2 cooperatively engageable with the outer end of the inner race I0 to take any end thrust resulting from rotation of the shaft 48 by its actuating means or from the pressure exerted, by the springs or the fuel itself, on the disk 40. The ball bearing mounting also takes care of any angular thrust load on the shaft with the result that it may be rotated with a minimum of torque for selectively changing the relative position of the disk with respect to the fuel inlet openings. The outer enlarged end II of the shaft may be of any Of course, some means must be provided for releasably locking the disk 48 in its proper position with respect to the selected fuel inlet opening and while this should be of simple construction it is of utmost importance that its different positions be accurately indicated on a dial remotely located from the valve.

I prefer to employ a ratchet mechanism of novel construction which comprises a circular disk 15, of metal or other suitable material, provided with a hub portion I6 having a central opening TI through which the shaft 45 freely extends. As will be apparent from Figure l, the disk is disposed within .the bore 60 in substantially parallel spaced relation with respect to the under face of the central portion 63 of the cover plate 64. The disk 15 is slidably but non-rotatably mounted on the shaft 46 by employing a key 18 secured to the shaft and adapted to slidingly fit within the slot I9 formed upon the inner wall of the hub portion I6 as more clearly shown in Figures 1 and 4. The disk 15 is normally. spring pressed and utilizes a coiled spring 80 which encircles a portion of the shaft and has one end in abutment with the adjacent face of the disk 15 and its opposite end in abutment with a gland 8i mounted upon the shaft. The gland 8| is prevented from movement along the shaft axially by means of a snap ring 82 disposed within a circumferential groove 83 formed on the shaft. The ring 82 also engages the hub of the gland 8| thereby functioning as a stationary abutment for the spring 88. v

The spring can be of any desired tension and should be such as to normally urge the disk 18 outwardly. The disk I! has a plurality of slots 84 extending transversely therethrough and angularly spaced apart as more clearly shown in Figure 4. There are seven of such slots shown, they preferably being equal in number to the number of fuel inlet openings and an off position but a lesser number may be used if they are spaced about the axis of the disk to prevent cooking of the latter. Circular but relatively flat metal rollers or wheels 86 are employed and one of such rollers is rotatably disposed in each slot 84, the rollers having integral axles or shafts 86 on diametrically opposite sides rotatably disposed in transversely aligned recesses 81 formed on the under face of the disk I5 adjacent each slot. The rollers are free to rotate and have portions extending below the inner face of the disk. The lower face of the central portion 88 of the cover plate 82 has a plurality of substantially elongated V-shaped indentations 88, as viewed in Figure 5, disposed in angular spaced relation and corresponding in 'number with the number of inlet openings and an off position, there being shown seven in number in conformance with the valve illustrated. These .indentations 88 are likewise spaced apart in precisely the same mannet as the spacing of the rollers and the spring normally maintains them in cooperating engagement. The rollers 88 may be moved from one relative-position to another by merely rotating the shaft '48 which causes the disk 40 to be likewise rotated so as to bring its opening 45 into proper position with the selected inlet opening.

The housing I0 is formed with a plurality of angularly disposed fingers 80 having smooth faces 8| arranged in a common plane and provided with tapped openings 92 by means of which the unit may be attached to a different support than that of the flange l4.

It hardly seems necessary to enter into a detailed explanation of the operation of'the valve due to the foregoing description and it will sufflce to say that the control valve is mounted at any desired location on the plane or other structure. It is customarily located remotely from the cock-pit in which the pilot sits but the actuating means is generally mounted upon the instrument panel convenient to the pilot. A flexible cable has one end connected to an operating lever or other means and its opposite end securely connected to the enlarged end portion ll of the shaft 46 on the fuel control valve. The fuel inlet openings 22 to 21 inclusive, as shown on the drawing, are each connected by a suitable conduit to different fuel tanks located at various points on the plane. The fuel opening 2| is connected by suitable conduit with a fuel pump or carburetor, as the case may be, and the function of the valve is to cut in from one tank. as it is implied to another tank which is full of fuel with the least effort required on the part of the pilot. In the present case the pilot turns the actuating cable as indicated upon the dial and this causes the shaft 46 to rotate about its axis which in turn moves-the disk 40 a distance from one inlet opening to the next. This movement is limited by the cooperating rollers SI and the r indentations 88 which prevent any override thus of the fuel itselfin passing through the opening in the bushingdue to its being oi! smaller diameter than the outside diameter of the bushing.

There may be times when it is desirable-to completely shut d the flow offuel from any of the inlet openings in which event the pilot merely turns the actuating member until such indication is shown upon the dial at which time the disk lll has been rotated .to such an extent that the opening 45 is out of registration with any of the inlet openings or a position intermediate the inlet openings 22 and 21 as shown on the drawing. 71

While I have described the preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that is relieved of end thrust load and angular thrust load thereby reducing to a minimum the torque required to rotate the same.

2. A fuel control valve comprising a housing 'slidably mounted in the inner end of each inlet opening and having a face engageable with the adjacent face of said disk, said tubular bushings being disposed in the path of movement of the opening in said disk; a'resilient means operatively associated with each of said bushings for normally exerting a pressure upon the latter to 7 effect a fluid tight seal between the engaging I am not to be limited thereto inasmuch as changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the inventionas defined in the appended claims. 7

What is claimed is:

1. Afuel' control valve comprising a housing having a plurality of non-communicating fuel vinlet openings. and a fuel outlet opening adapted ing an opening extending therethrough and disposed for alignment with each of said inlet openings during rotation of said disk; a tubular bushing slidably mounted in the inner end of each inlet opening and having a face engageable with the adjacent face of said disk, said tubular bushings being disposed in the path of movement of the opening in said disk; a resilient means operatively associated with each of said bushings for normally exerting a pressure-upon the latter to effect a fluid tight seal between the engaging faces of said bushings and disk; a rotatable shaft \disposed axially within said housing and having its inner end securely connected to the central portion of said disk for unitary rotation; said housing having a shaft encircling bore adjacent said disk; a bearing tightly fitted in the outer portion of said bore and having a central open- -ing in which the adjacent portion of said shaft is rotatably mounted; said housing being further provided with a second shaft encircling bore at the side opposite said disk; ananti-friction bearing having concentrically disposed spaced inner and outer races with interposed balls, said outer race being securely mounted in said last mentioned shaft encircling bore and siiid inner race having a central opening in which the adjacent portion of said shaft is tightly fitted for unitary rotation; said shaft having a free outer end portion of relativelylarger diameter providing a shoulder in operable abutment with the outer end of said inner race whereby said shaft and means for selectively establishingfaces of said bushings and disk; a rotatable shaft disposed axially within said housing and having its inner end securely connected to the central portion of said disk for unitary rotation;,said housing having a shaft encircling bore adjacent said disk; a bearing :tlghtly fitted in the outer portion of said bore and having a central opening in which the adjacent portion of said shaft is rotatably mounted; said housing being further provided with a second shaft, encircling bore at the side opposite said disk;-an anti-friction bearing having concentrically .disposed spaced innerand outer races with interposed balls, said outer race being securely mounted in said last mentioned shaft encircling bore and said inner race having a central opening in which .the adjacent portion of said shaft ls tightly iltted for unitary rotation; said shaft having a free outer end portion of relatively larger diameter providing a shoulder in operable abutment with the outer end of said inner race whereby said shaft is relieved of end thrustload and angular thrust load thus reducing to a minimumvthe to q required to rotate theme; a ratchet munber slidably but non-rotatably. mounted on said shaft; a plurality of rollers rotatably mount-.

ed on said ratchet member and spaced iapart about the axis of said shaft; said housing being provided with a plurality of depressions predeterminately spaced apart about the axis-of said shaft adjacent said ratchet member, said depressions being at least equal in number to the numher of fuel inlet openings and spaced apart relatively in definite proportion to the spacing of adjacent fuel inlet openings; said rollers being adapted for engagement with different depressions upon rotation ofsaid shaft; and resilient means for yieldably maintaining said rollers and depressions in cooperative relation."

3. A fuel control valve comprising a housing having a plm'ality of non-communicating fuel inlet openings and a fuel outlet opening adapted for communication with each of saidinlet open ings; and means for selectively establishing commlmication between any one of said inlet openings and said outlet opening comprising; a disk rotatably mounted in said housing and disposed in spaced relation with respect to the adjacent ends of said inlet openings. said disk having an opening extending therethrough and disposed for alignment with each of said inlet openings opening and having a face engageable with the adjacent face of said disk, said tubular bushings being disposed in the path of movement of the opening in said disk; a resilient means operatively associated with each of said bushings for normally exerting a pressure upon the-latter to effect a fluid tight seal between the engaging said disk; a bearing tightly fitted in the outer faces of said bushings and disk; a rotatable shaft disposed axially'within said housing and having its inner end securely connected t the central portion of saidldisk for unitary rotation; said housing having a shaft encircling bore adjacent said disk; a bearing tightly fitted in the outer portion ofsaid bore and having a central opening in which the adjacent'portion of said shaft is rotatably mounted; said housing having a centrally disposed bore extending inwardly from the side opposite said disk; a cover plate normally closing the open end of said bore and removably connected to adjacent portion of said housing, said plate having a shaft encircling bore at its outer side and a central opening through which said shaft extends; an anti-fric- 7 the outer end of said inner race whereby said shaft is relieved of end .thrust load and angular thrust load thus reducing to a minimum the torque required to rotate the same; a ratchet member slidably but non-rotatably mounted on said shaft and disposed Within said centrally disposed bore adjacent said cover plate; a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted on said ratchet member and spaced apart about the axis of said shaft; said cover plate being provided with a plurality of depressions predeterminately spaced apart about the axis of said shaft adjacent said ratchet member, said depressions being at least equal in number to the number of fuel inlet openings and spaced apart relatively in definite proportion to the spacing of adjacent fuel inlet openings; said rollers being adapted for engagement with different depressions upon rotation of said shaft; a coiled spring encircling a portion of said shaft and having one end in enportion'of said disk for unitary rotation; sai housing having a shaft encircling bore adjacent portion of said bore and having a central opening in which the adjacent portion of said shaft is rotatably mounted; said housing being further provided with a second shaft encircling bo're at the side opposite said disk; an anti-friction bearing having concentrically disposed spaced inner and outer races with interposed balls, said outer racebeing securely mounted in said last mentioned shaft encircling bore and said inner race having a central opening in which the adjacent portion of said shaft is tightly fitted for unitary rotation; said shaft having a free outer end portion of relatively larger diameter providing a shoulder in operable abutment with the outer end of said inner race whereby said shaft is relieved of end thrust load and angular thrust load thereby reducing to a minimum the torque required to rotate the same.

5. A fuel control valve comprising a housing having a plurality of non-communicating fuel inlet openings and a fuel outlet opening adapted for communication with each of said inlet openings; and means for selectively establishing communication between any one of said inlet openings and said outlet ,bpening comprising; a disk rotatably mounted in said housing and disposed in spaced relation with respect to the adjacent ends of said inlet openings, said disk having an opening extending therethrough and disposed for alignment with eaohof said inlet openj ings during rotation of said disk; a rotatable shaft disposed axially within said housing and;

having its inner end securely connected to the central portion of said disk for unitary rotation; said housing having a shaft encircling bore adjacent said disk; a bearing tightly fitted in the outer portion of said bore and having a central opening in which the adjacent portion of said gagement with said ratchet member; and a relatively stationary abutment on said shaft with which the opposite end of said spring engages; said spring being tensioned for yieldably maintaining said rollers and depressions in cooperative relation, 4. A fuel control valve comprising a housin having a plurality of non-communicating fuel inlet openings and a fuel outlet opening adapted for communication with each of said inlet openshaft is rotatably mounted; said housing being further provided with a second shaft encircling ,bore at the side opposite said disk; an anti-friction bearing having concentrically disposed spaced inner and outer races with interposed balls, said outer race being securely mounted in said last mentioned shaft encircling bore and said inner race having a central opening in which the adjacent portion of said shaft is tightly fitted for unitary rotation; said shaft having a free outer end portion of relatively larger diameter providing a shoulder in operable abutment with the outer end of said inner race whereby said shaft is relieved of end thrust load and angular thrust load thus reducing to a minimum the torque required to rotate the same; a ratchet member slidably but non-rotatably mounted on said shaft; a plurality of rollers rotatably mount- 0 ed on said ratchet member and spaced apart ings; and means for selectively establishing cornabout the axis of saidshaft; said housing being provided with a plurality of depressions predeterminately spaced apart about the axis of said shaft adjacent said ratchet member, said depressions being at least equal in number .to the number of fuel inlet openings and spaced apart relatively in definite proportion to the spacing of adjacent fuel inlet openings; said rollers being ends of said inlet openings, said disk having an its inner end securely connected to the central adapted for engagement with different depressions upon rotation of said shaft; and resilient means for yieldably maintaining said rollers and depressions in cooperative relation.

6. A fuel control valve comprising a housing having a plurality of non-communicating fuel inlet openings and a fuel outlet opening adapted I for communication with each of said inlet open- 'in'gsz" and means for selectively establishing jacent ends of said inlet openings, said disk having an opening extending therethrough and disposed for alignment ,with each of said inlet openings during rotation of said disk; a rotatable shaft disposed axially within said housing and having its inner end securely connected to the central portion of said disk for unitary rotation; said housing having a shaft encircling bore adjacent said disk; a bearing tightly fitted in the outer portion of said bore and having a central opening in which the adjacent portion of. said shaft is rotatably mounted; said housing having a centrally disposed bore extending inwardly from the side opposite said disk; a cover plate normally closing the open end of said bore and removably connected to adjacent portion of said housing, said plate having a shaft encircling bore at its outer side and. a central opening through which said shaft extends; an anti-friction bearing having concentrically disposed spaced inner and outer races with interposed balls, said outer race being securely mounted in said last mentioned shaft encircling bore and said inner race having a central opening in which the adjacent portion of said shaft is tightlyfltted for unitary rotation; said shaft having a free outer end portion of relativelylargerdiameter providing a shoulder in operable abutment with the outer end of said inner race whereby said shaft is relieved of end thrust load and angular thrust load thus reducing to a minimum the torque required to rotate the same; a' ratchet member slidably but non-rotatably mounted on said shaft and disposed within said centrally disposed bore adjacent said cover plate; a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted on said ratchet member and spacedapart about the axis of said shaft; said cover plate being provided with a plurality of depressions predeterminately spaced apart about the axis of said shaft adjacent said ratchet member, said depressions being at least equal in number to the number of fuel inlet openings and spaced apart relatively in definite proportion to the spacing of adjacent fuel inlet openings; said rollers being adapted for engagement with different depressions upon rotationeof said shaft;

a coiled spring encircling a portion of said shaft and having one end in engagement with said ratchet member; and a relatively stationary abutment on said shaft with which the opposite end of said spring engages; said spring being tensioned for yieldably maintaining said rollers I and depressions in cooperative relation.

\ JAMESP. JOHNSON. 

